"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life"

The Revelation of God's Love

What is meant by "the world"?
The inhabited earth, all the race of men.
What is God's attitude to the world?
He loved the world
What is meant by "God loved the world"?
That God looks in mercy and kindness on all whom He has created.
What can we learn from that?
That it is a great mistake to dread God or look upon Him as a vengeful Being.
What confidence have we in believing this great message of God's love?
It has been brought to us by God's own Son, Who knew what was in God.

What proof did God give the world of His great love?
He gave His one and only Son.
How does that show the nature of God's love?
It shows that God did not spare His best gift, when purposing to save the world.
How does the text draw special attention to that fact?
By introducing the little word "so".
To what does the word "so" draw special attention?
To the manner of God's love, the depth, and character of it.
How is our Lord Jesus Christ described in the text?
As God's one and only Son.
What is the meaning of "one and only"?
It is always used to describe an only child (Luke 7:12, 8:42, 9:38 and Hebrews 11:17)
What does this teach us about our Lord Jesus?
That He is in a very special sense the Son of God.
What is the special character that makes our Lord Jesus Christ the one and only Son of God?
The fact that He is truly one with God the Father and equally Divine.
Why is it necessary for us to remember this great fact when speaking of God's love?
Because it is only when we remember that our Lord is truly God that we can understand fully God's great love in giving His own Son.
What does the fact that it was necessary for God to give His only Son teach us?
That none but God could save the world.

What is the object of God's great gift according to this text?
To save whoever believes from perishing.
What does this teach us about the state of the world?
That the world is in a lost state.
What text had we before that tells us this also?
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
What is meant by the word "perish"?
It means to be destroyed or brought to nothing.
What is it that causes the world to perish?
The sin that cuts off from the life of God.
How do we escape this danger of perishing?
By believing in the Lord Jesus Christ.
What does this teach us about God's great love?
That its object is accomplished in those who believe.
What is meant by "believe"?
Place our trust in.
How does the text show that the blessing is for all who believe?
By putting in the word "whoever"
What does the word "whoever " mean?
You or me, or anybody else.
What blessings result from believing?
We get eternal life.
What is meant by "eternal life"?
Life for ever in the presence of and fellowship with God, enjoying everything that makes existence worth having.
When do we get eternal life?
When we believe.
What is the final blessing in this eternal life?
The resurrection of our bodies, the final part of our redemption that enables also our bodies to live with God for all eternity.

Adapted from:
"The one hundred texts of the society for Irish Church Missions."
T.C. Hammond, Dublin. 1939